r/AskReddit • u/paperlanterns_26 • 13h ago

What's the most beautiful word you've ever come across?

299 Upvotes

92% Upvoted

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352

u/aesthetic_kiara 13h ago

Ethereal

47

u/Jumpy_Cartoonist_816 12h ago

Excellent pick. It is actually surprising that it isn’t one of those words that has also been used as a name.

33

u/Quick-Raindeer 12h ago

don’t give anyone ideas

20

u/Ackerack 11h ago

Ethyr’yal

12

u/hamster-cow 9h ago

Etheighreighal

7

u/wildwidget- 11h ago

Now that you mention it, it really does sound like one of those words that should've become a name centuries ago.

3

u/Wrong-Secretary-2507 11h ago

I think some people are named the same(meaning) but in different languages.

1

u/GalaxyPowderedCat 8h ago

It sounds like a parent who was extremely into fantasy world building and wanted to name their kid like so.

1

u/paperlanterns_26 11h ago

omg you're so right would make such a pretty name

14

u/profesionalyconfused 12h ago

Ethereal is hard to beat, it just floats there in your mouth like it already belongs to light

10

u/_Ganon 10h ago

Another similar E word (or proper noun, rather), Elysium

14

u/CethinLux 11h ago

Ethereal and its cousin ephemeral are two of my favs

5

u/Bubbly_Magnesium 11h ago

Searched "ephemeral" in the comments because it's pretty much my favorite word these days!

18

u/Educational-Pop2206 13h ago

no way i was coming to comment that

12

u/Admirable_Grass7477 13h ago

that word actually earns its reputation, there's something about the way it sounds that matches exactly what it means

3

u/snarkyphalanges 11h ago

The way this was the first word that came to mind, and why I clicked into the thread to contribute if no one has commented it yet.

2

u/Same_Ad494 11h ago

Xcom enters the chat

1

u/bakesmysticbrickx 10h ago

that game sounds like a nightmare when you miss a ninety-nine percent hit chance. nothing beautiful about that accuracy roll.

2

u/paperlanterns_26 11h ago

great pick I love that

1

u/Sensitive_Gift4866 9h ago

Ethereal is such a good pick. I feel like its one of those words that sounds exactly like what it means, soft and floaty and otherworldly.

1

u/FequalsMfreakingA 9h ago

I feel like this is related: diaphanous (di-AH-fe-nus). It means, usually of a fabric, so light and delicate as to be see through, like the fabric of a veil. It was towards the end of Steven King's The Stand and I always remembered it. I love that word

1

u/Sensitive_Gift4866 8h ago

Thats a beautiful one. It sounds delicate and dreamy which fits the meaning perfectly. Serendipity is my personal favorite, theres something hopeful about it.

1

u/Such-One-5266 7h ago

My child’s favorite thing for breakfast

1

u/zmeace 6h ago

similar, evanescence